What We've Been Up To

CIU 20 Parent Support T.E.A.M and CIU 20 Present at PDE Conference

Members of the Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 organization presented at the Pennsylvania Department of Education Annual Conference in early March. The theme for this year's conference was "Making a Difference: Educational Practices That Work!"

Sharing Our Collaboration Journey with Families

Caterina Campbell and Nikki Huggan from the CIU 20 Parent Support T.E.A.M., presented with CIU 20 Executive Director, Christopher Wolfel, Ed.D. and Batya Elbaum, Ph.D. of the University of Miami. The presentation was titled "Two Stories: How an IU Team Overcame Barriers and Opened Doors for Collaboration With Families."

The presentation focused on sharing the partnership journey between the IU administration and the T.E.A.M., specifically illustrating the importance of LEAP (Listen, Empathize, Agree, and Partner) when school personnel work with families, and how school-family partnerships increase a sense of power, belonging, access, and fun for families. Members of CIU 20 administration and the CIU 20 Parent Support T.E.A.M. attended the presentation to show support for the collaboration that continues to evolve and grow.

Enhancing Literacy Instruction with Focused Planning

CIU 20 Training and Consulting Staff members Ariel Hartman-Keller and Katie VanWhy-DeCapua presented on behalf of the CIU 20 English Language Arts (ELA) committee for their work with creating a "Planned Sequence of Instruction." The purpose of this initiative is to ensure that all students are provided with the opportunity to receive explicit and systemic literacy instruction provided by certified special education teachers who are trained in the various aspects of the science of reading.

Students Display Computer Programming Skills at Regional Competition

Computer programming teams from four Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 region high schools crunched code and competed for prizes during the annual “Code Jam” on March 11th. The event is held in partnership with DeSales University and Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit 21.

Students were given two hours to successfully solve 20 computer problems that could be translated into real-world applications. Using computer programming skills, they decoded problems ranging from routine savings calculations to more difficult spatial calculations, and even complex cryptography. Teams were awarded points based on successful completion of problems within specified timeframes.

Winners were: Emmaus High School, East Penn School District, 1st place; Moravian Academy, 2nd place; and Jim Thorpe High School, 3rd place. Other competitors included IU 20 teams from Nazareth High School and Saucon Valley High School, and IU 21 region high schools.

Media & Design Competition Held for Middle and High School Students

CIU 20 organized the regional Media & Design Competition on March 8th, which was held at the Northampton Community College's Bethlehem Campus. Middle and High School students showcased their skills by competing in the following categories: 3D Printing, Animation, Digital Movie, Logo & Graphic Design, Programming, and Web Page Design.

Local educators and industry professionals were utilized to judge the projects. Medals were given for the top 3 finishers in each middle school and high school category, with the first place winners in each category advancing to the state-wide PA Media & Design Competition at Dickinson College in May.

IU Hosts Career & Technical Education Awareness Session

On March 16th, Colonial IU 20 invited the region's three Career and Technical schools to present about the role they play in career readiness for students. The Directors of each school; Adrianne Jones of Career Institute of Technology (CIT), Adam Lazarchak of Bethlehem Area Vocational-Technical School, and Dennis Virga of Monroe Career & Technical Institute (MCTI); shared information about their specific programs, delivery models, and career readiness initiatives.

Attendees included representatives from local school districts, IU 20, community colleges, and other regional agencies. The productive session increased awareness of what Career and Technical Education (CTE) does for the community and sparked conversation about how the session attendees and CTEs can partner to promote future growth of career readiness in our students.

The Colonial IU 20 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Committee seeks to foster a sense of belonging for all students, families, and staff. Below is what is being celebrated this month.

World Down Syndrome Day

In honor of World Down Syndrome Day on March 21st, CIU 20 staff participated in a "Jeans For Genes" fundraiser that directly supported the Eastern PA Down Syndrome Center (EPDSC), an organization that equips families and individuals influenced by Down syndrome with medical, social, emotional and educational support. EPDSC is an active participant in the Right to Education Local Task Force 20, which is comprised of representatives from families, agencies, schools and other advocates for children with special needs in the region.

Follow us on our social media channels to learn more about the resiliency of #AmazingIU20Kids and creative approaches to learning that our #AmazingIU20Staff have implemented!

At Colonial IU 20, we believe in RELATIONSHIPS that support student growth, RESPONSIVENESS to stakeholders crucial needs, RESULTS demonstrated through effective services and programs, and INNOVATION to improve student outcomes.

Colonial IU 20 provides educational, administrative, and management services to 13 school districts and 3 career and technical centers in Northampton, Monroe, and Pike Counties. As one of the community’s largest employers and contributors, the 1,400 full and part-time staff at CIU 20 provides direct and indirect services to 79,000 public school children; 9,000 non-public school children; and 7,000 professional staff in our service region of 1,200 square miles.